I like the counter sample on the white door at the top of that door. I just don't care for the plain, solid look in counters unless it's concrete counters and you are forced to go more solid. Also, I like counters that shine. If it shines people come in and say, "oh, your kitchen looks soooo clean".
Also, I don't like counter material that looks like something is spilled on the counter, like spots. There is one granite (not yours) that looks like it has cigarette burns..I hate it.
One opinion,
Bob

The smokey ash works if you like the quartzy look. Personally, I prefer the sleek look of the Raven with your other choices. Good luck.

I really like the Raven, pattern and sheen (or lack thereof). I am intrigued, though, about the colors you say that you can see in the Smokey Ash...That sounds like it could move it up in the standings, but I can't see that much detail. Otherwise, it kind of reminds me of Blue Pearl or other ubiquitous and all-over pattern type of granites, which I'm not that crazy about. The Raven reminds me of a large format tile I was in love with...It was supposed to look like honed Lagos Blue Limestone, but it was darker gray. Anyway, I happen to love that type of look. I think it's really a personal preference thing, the choices are so similar, and it's hard to tell you what you'll like best.

Love the Smokey Ash! The Raven looks too flat/monotonous to me & the subtle colorations floating in Smokey Ash really accent your cabinets beautifully. Timeless & elegant, like white tie & tails.

A pretty detail in the Corian counters here, which are also dark (navy with tiny grey & vanilla speckles), have an inset edge in the same white as the cabinetry. Really gives a crisp look & ties the scheme together. The narrow 1/2" white line is set in 1&1/2" from the molded edge. It's square on the inside corners & follows the curve on the outside corners.

Really keeps the counters from looking too dark at night. Those counters were here when we came & we like them so much I plan to keep them (and the cabinets) when we rearrange the kitchen. Just starting to seriously pursue that now.

Might be a sharp detail to edge your Smokey Ash counters in the Misty Carrera & vice versa in the same or similar manner. Your kitchen design looks beautiful! Has me swaying & singing "Puttin' on the Ritz"...

Smarge has raven on her perimeter counters and marble on her island. Here is a picture, you can try to search or google for more pics.

Here is a closeup of raven

I would go to a place with tons of different cs countertops on display (the website lists them for you) and check it all out-- I found that really helpful. Some of the more speckled ones that intrigued me in the small format almost made me nervous in a big countertop-- too much going on! But you may love the look. Also, those cloudy things in the picture above may look odd in the photo but (to my eye) looked terrific in a big countertop-- really soothing and nice.

I'm a fan of the super-smooth caesarstones, so I think concrete would look great. Also check out the whites-- there are a lot of terrific ones, including one with recycled content that sparkles a little bit. You might like that on the darker counters and then a grey for your white counters. But definitely spend some time at a showroom-- so helpful!

Your choices all look great, by the way!

I may prefer the smoky ash, just because it adds a little more texture in an otherwise streamlined-looking feel. (You wrote that you were doing "slightly modern" so I take you don't want to over do it.) However, it could look a little too busy. I find it's useful to set up one combination and then see it with fresh eyes at different times of the day. They both would be very nice, though.
I wanted to point out one thing. I too was looking at the Raven color, but I noticed that the sample was showing smudge marks, even after cleaning, and some chipping. (I thought this stuff was practically indestructable.) I read on line that others had complained of these two problems. Because of that potential issue, I'm choosing another color (mocha) which seems to clean up nicely. I can't stand spending a bunch of money on a product only to have it start aging within the first few years. Perhaps the ash wouldn't show marks/chips as much as the Raven. This is all supposition, so take it with a grain of salt.
Good luck!
Rose

I like the Smokey Ash. It just has a kick that keeps you wanting to look at it.

I also looked at Raven and agree with neilar about the sample not holding up well. Mine scratched and chipped very easily and the chips were white. In fact I just saw the old sample yesterday in the garage(haven't used it in 6 months) and it looked so beat up.

At first glance I liked the smokey ash, but agree that it could be too much in a slab. Can you get anywhere to see it in a slab? Those samples are so small to really get an idea of what a countertop will look like.

On the caesarstone website I think the tell you locations that certain colors are installed. That's how I got to see the Raven in person, it was nice, just too charcoal for me.

Good luck

Neilar, what colors did you find didn't age well/clean up well and which ones did? I didn't buy samples (just used the ones from my KD) so I didn't beat them up like I probably should have. I'm thinking of using Cinder-- any experience with it? Now I'm a little worried...

Mocha is really lovely, btw-- I saw an entire countertop of it and loved it.

The OP contacted me by email, so I thought I'd post pics of my island marble. It was taken this morning and overall still looks great, however I can't capture all the etching that has occurred over the past 11 months with my camera. We're going to have it honed bc I use it a lot for cooking and it'll look cleaner if it's honed (the etching won't show).

I also told the OP in my email that I had several incidences of banging a large pot into my Raven edge and thought I had a bunch of little chips. I just inspected and felt the entire edge, including inside the sink, and could only find one tiny chip. It is by my DW to the left of the sink you see above. I'll post a photo here, but you won't be able to see it I'm afraid. In person it is not at all white; it completely blends and you have to bend down and feel for it before you can see it. I'm much happier with my edges now than I realized before I checked for dings! Glad you wrote me, OP!

The chip is just above my fingernail.

OP, I just reread your original post and it occurred to me that you are considering using the darker countertop on the island as well as on your perimeter. If that was your question to me, I am SO glad to have the lighter countertop on the very dark island! It is already so dark that it looks almost black in person. A dark top, to me, would have been too depressing even in my huge white kitchen. Especially if you are going for a dark floor tile - although I don't believe you showed us your floor tile color.

Smarge, and everyone else, thank you for your replies. Smarge, your posts (and email, the last one worked, thank you) have been invaluable. I love the pics and it really is funny how your style is very similar to our choices (even up to having Phineas and Ferb on the TV, that is always on here).

We are very glad to see/hear that the Raven is holding up well as that is what we will most likely be going for. Regarding honed marble, are there any negatives to it? I wonder if having it honed will show other problems minus the etching? We are going to seriously look at real marble vs the Misty Carrera as it is true that the CeasarStone just does not have the beautiful veining that real marble has.

Regarding honed marble, I don't have any honed marble countertops yet. We have a honed marble floor tile in our bathroom and it is holding up beautifully. It is still darned slippery when wet (one of the reasons we used honed was bc I perceived that it wouldn't be as slippery as polished. Maybe it isn't AS slippery, but it isn't terribly safe being honed either!)

My understanding is that being honed MAY make it more susceptible to staining, but we plan to have it resealed anyway which should prevent that. Otherwise, the biggest drawback in my opinion is that the veining of the marblel will be less visible. The look of honed is more fuzzy or faded looking, if that makes sense.

And, frankly, without the beautiful veining showing, I might prefer the Caesarstone product since it is SO low maintenance and much more durable! (Don't get me started on the chips and scratches in my marble island top! My husband says it is "well loved".)